Call of Descent
Chapter Thirty-Three

Thenext morning, Reniko, Malik, and Rimca departed from Tresca. The hole thatJekkah had opened up in the canopy accommodated Orric perfectly. He had comethe moment he had disengaged with Reniko, and over the few days that Reniko hadbeen unconscious, Malik and Orric had made an uneasy alliance with the elders.Although they were now nervous about the fight that Reniko had inadvertentlybrought to them, they had respected the spirit that Malik had shown in fightingthe intimidating creature. Reniko’s strange appearance on the platformannouncing the arrival of Jekkah caused the villagers to revere her as agoddess. Upon her awakening, the elders had formally announced their allegianceto her, which Reniko humbly tried to refuse. Malik and Orric laughed at herfeeble attempts at trying to make the villagers understand that she was, infact, a human as they were, for she was still not privy to the incident thatmarked her as otherwise in the villagers’ minds. No amount of explaining couldconvince these humble people that she was not someone to be worshipped. Malikassuaged the problem by merely telling the villagers that it would appease thegoddess if they would treat her like one of their own. Therefore, they all lefton a rather good note, having acquired from Tresca all the goods they neededfor the flight over the ocean to the continent of Mo’an Delar.

Renikowas quite relieved when at last Tresca was hidden beneath the tree canopy andthey were flying above the low clouds that were raining on the forest below. Nolonger wet, or constantly bombarded with reverence, she was content to just lieback and enjoy the ride.

“Whaton Earth did I do that caused such a stir amongst them?” Reniko finally askedonce they had been in the air for a good while.

Rimcalaughed and was about to respond when Malik reached out and yanked gently onher hair.

“Ithink it’s best if Lyss doesn’t know,” Malik said as Rimca rubbed her head andstuck out her tongue at Malik.

Renikoreached out and hit Malik in the arm. “Stop calling me that.” Malik justgrinned.

“Youand your secrets,” Reniko replied to his cocky smile and squeezed his hand.Rimca, who had noticed the playful exchange, tried to pull her gaze away onlyto replace her eyes meeting Reniko’s. Reniko gave her a guilty look and tried toapologize, but Rimca shrugged her shoulders and turned away.

“It’seasier this way,” Rimca shouted to the wind confusing Malik and causing emotionto stir in Reniko. Life is so complicated, Reniko thought to herself, iffalling in love with someone that doesn’t even live on the same planet as meisn’t hard enough, I now get to live with the fact that Rimca has feelings forhim and I’ve totally disregarded them. Why can’t things just be simple for achange? This is going to be a long flight.

Ittook Orric three days to reach the Port of Denvas. The Rük had destroyed theseaside city centuries ago, and the small group was left to make camp amongstthe rubble, which was now covered in clinging plant life and moss that grewabundantly in the wet climate that they were now in.

“Idon’t think it has stopped raining since we left Tresca,” Reniko said as sheerected a small shelter amongst the ruins of a nearby building.

“Itwon’t, not in this region, until summer has passed,” Rimca said as she droppedher most recent load of semi dry wood, “this is all I could replace that wasn’tcompletely soaked through.”

“Alot of your cities were never rebuilt I see,” Reniko said glancing around thearea, sickened by the devastation that the Rük had wrought.

“Notenough people left to rebuild, it was easier to relocate,” Malik said.

Renikosat on the ground with a sigh and helped Malik light the tinder.

“Iwonder how much of your history was lost when this city fell.” Reniko pondered.

“Alot of technology no doubt, but the knowledge is probably safely stored inReflaydun, Fharlasina, or Tordaskar,” Orric answered.

Renikonodded. “How long do you think before we reach Tordaskar?”

Maliksighed but did not answer. He avoided most of Reniko’s questions aboutTordaskar.

“WellI’d say it will take about seven days to cross the ocean to Mo’an Delar andreach Manaker. From there, another day and a half to Rimca’s home in Corbasin,and another two or three days on top of that.”

“You’vemade this trip a lot I assume?” Reniko asked.

“It’sthe fastest way from Tordaskar to Edonal Eclith. And we are not lucky enough tohave a communication device with the capabilities of the one that you receivedfrom Reflaydun.”

“Wellwhen we get there, maybe we can change that,” Reniko said.

“Ihave no doubt you will be able to make great changes at Tordaskar, Lyss,” Orricsaid grinning. Malik, however, did not share his enthusiasm.

“Ifthey let her speak at all. No one really hears anything in Tordaskar, they moretake what you say to mean whatever they wish it to mean.”

Renikolooked at Malik, who was stirring the contents of the pot on the fire with afierce scowl on his face, then looked at Orric and shrugged.

Orricjust sighed. “He thinks Tordaskans are stubborn, but sometimes he forgets thathe is one of them.” Rimca started laughing at this and Malik gave her a warningglare.

“Hedoes have a valid point Malik,” Rimca said.

“Wedon’t have to take you along,” Malik threatened.

Rimcaglared back at him and gave him a shove. “You wouldn’t even think of leaving mebehind.”

“Ofcourse he wouldn’t, Rimca. Besides, Orric and I wouldn’t let him,” Renikointerjected. Malik scowled at her, but his expression eased when he saw Renikosmiling at him solemnly. With Malik’s gloomy mood somewhat broken, Reniko madeher way nearer to him, leaned her head on his shoulder, and hugged his arm. Thecontact had a calming effect on Malik and he immediately settled. In thesilence that proceeded, the small group listened to the rain falling on thecanopy overhead.

Orborokstormed around his room, his mind filled with dread and foreboding. He had tocontact Trokar, and with all the recent blunders that Jekkah and he hadendured, he knew that Trokar was not going to be happy about what he had tosay. How could he tell him that the Earthling had escaped his grasp once again?This was intolerable. Heads were going to roll and Orborok had to makes surethat his was not one of them.

Theorb on his desk began pulsing rhythmically and Orborok realized his time forexcuses was up. Grabbing the orb, he activated it and waited as Trokar’sshadowy image formed.

“Whathave you to report, Orborok?” the powerful voice asked.

“Mylord, I –” Orborok suddenly had no idea what to say to his lord. His words, forthe first time in his life, were locked in his throat. His lack of responseirritated Trokar.

“Byyour silence I understand that things did not go as you foresaw them. ThisEarth human is proving much more troublesome than I had hoped for.”

“Theyare heading to Mo’an Delar, sire. Their only possible goal could be Tordaskar,behind Ocean’s Wall. As soon as Jekkah is well, Sire, we will make our waythere and cut them off before they reach the stronghold.”

“Therewill be no need for that Lord Orborok. Remain on Edonal Eclith and make surethat this rebellious spirit does not spread to your people. As for theEarthling and her companions, I will see to them personally.”

“Mylord,” Orborok said bowing his head in submission.

“Nowtell me all that has transpired.”

“Asyou wish, Sire,” Orborok said getting comfortable for the painful report tocome.

WhenReniko awoke the next morning, the moons were the only things that lit the sky.Dawn had not yet broken, but the clouds had. Restless, she pulled out the mapsthat Malik harboured, and using her torch, she scanned their route.

“Can’tsleep Lyss?” Orric asked.

Renikoshook her head, and turned back to the maps. “Why is it going to take so longto cross the ocean? By my calculations, we should be able to cross it in nomore than three days.”

“It’snot the distance, it’s the air itself, it’s unpredictable over the ocean. Ihave not once been able to travel a straight line over the water, I go wherethe air takes me, and that unfortunately takes me off the chosen path.”

“I’mnot used to that sort of thing. I don’t really know the physics of flight. Wefly on my world, but in machines that can force whatever path they choose.Variation in speed is calculated in hours, not days.”

“Youmust live in a marvellous world, Lyss. Maybe one day you can show us all.”

Renikolooked down cast. “I doubt that. Even if I do replace a way back to Earth, mypeople aren’t so accepting of things that they do not know.”

“Iguess every world has its own problems to overcome.”

“Ofthat I am sure,” Reniko said as she folded up the maps and shut off her light.The first rays of sunlight were cresting on the horizon and Reniko watched thenew day dawn.

Theyleft the Port of Denvas and began their long flight over the sea shortly afterthe sun had broken on the horizon. Red streaked the sky, casting an ominousoutlook for the day.

“Therewas an old saying on my world,” Reniko said, “that said ‘red sky at nightsailors delight, red sky at morning sailors take warning’. I never really paidattention to if that was true or not.”

“Wehave something similar here, not so poetic of course but the same messagenonetheless. I have a feeling that this pleasant weather isn’t going to lastlong,” Rimca said.

“Wellif it comes from behind us, at least we can try and outrun it,” Reniko replied.

Theyflew for half of the day without incident and Reniko began to think that herpredictions might have been wrong. That was, until Malik pointed to the horizonoff to their left, where a dark mass was covering the sky.

“Somuch for positive thinking,” Malik said.

“Orrichow long before it hits us do you think?” Reniko asked.

“I’dsay we have another hour or so before that storm is upon us.”

‘Don’tworry, Lyss, we’ve traveled through storms before. Orric’s a master of flight,he is a Teoko after all,” Malik said with confidence.

Renikolooked in the direction of the looming clouds with apprehension. She could seeflashes as lightning arched from cloud to cloud and occasionally to the waterbelow. “I understand Orric is deft at flying, but have you ever flown throughan electrical storm?” Reniko asked.

“Thiscould be a problem,” Orric and Malik said at nearly the same time. Rimca andReniko looked at one another. It was never a good sign when both the people whohad done this before agreed that they had a problem.

“Weneed to land,” Rimca shouted.

“Quickly,”Reniko added, “are there any small islands around here? Anything we can land onat all?”

Malikpulled out one of his maps and began scanning the surface of it, struggling asthe wind kept catching it and nearly ripping it from his hands. Reniko leanedback and grabbed the edges of the map, stabilizing it so that Malik could havea better look.

“Thank-you,”he muttered as his eyes flew over the surface of the map, using Reniko’scompass to figure out their path.

“Anything?”Reniko asked desperately.

“Nothing,nothing for more than a day,” Malik said. The group sat in silence watching thestorm inch closer and closer. They all knew that no matter how fast they flewor what direction they went, they would not be able to outrun this storm. Allthey could do was hope.

Ithit faster than they had expected. The winds buffeted Orric and tore at themembranes of his wings. He tried in vain to ride the wind, only to have itsuddenly change direction, ebbing and flowing like the tide. Reniko, Malik, andRimca were left clinging desperately to his back. Worst of all were the cloudsthat reached so low that Orric was flying right through them, unable to tellhow close to the water he was, or what direction he was going. Reniko, however,was not so worried about the impaired vision, but the electrical charge shefelt in the air. She was even more horrified when she heard a distinct hummingin the air around her and realized that they were carrying a large amount ofmetal with them. She watched as a flash of light arched past them with athunderous boom and for a moment no one could see or hear. The hair on her bodywas standing on end, as was Malik and Rimca’s, and another flash roared abovethem, too close for anyone’s comfort.

“Orricwe have to get out of here, the metal we wear is attracting the lightning. Weare going to die if we stay here much longer. If we can’t fly around it, canyou fly above it?” she asked anxious at every arch of light that came near tothem.

“Ican, but I fear the air is too thin for you and Malik.” Orric replied.

“Rimcawould be okay?” Reniko shouted.

“I’llbe fine,” Rimca replied.

“Wehave a better chance of surviving with thin air than with bolts of lightning,”Reniko shouted.

“Areyou sure Reniko?”

“Youjust get us above these clouds and I’ll take care of the rest.”

Maliklooked at Reniko curiously as she took out the sphere that the hologram atReflaydun had given her. “What are you doing?” he asked as Orric lifted higherinto the air.

Renikoignored Malik’s question as she concentrated on the sphere. “Openingcommunications with Reflaydun City,” Reniko shouted over the roaring thunder.Reniko was relieved to see the image of Shyma flickering above the sphere.

“Weseem to be experiencing some interference,” the hologram said her speech brokenand choppy.

“Notime for that,” Reniko shouted impatiently. “Is there any way that the nannitesin my and Malik’s blood can oxygenate it?”

“Areyou saying you require more oxygen?” the hologram asked.

“Ina few minutes, yes, or else we’ll pass out or worse yet, die.”

“Thiscan be accommodated,” the hologram said and disappeared. Instantly a sharpsting of electricity surged through both Malik and Reniko. At that same moment,Orric shouted that he could see a break in the clouds. Reniko looked uprelieved. However, a bolt finally found its way to them just as they werebreaking through and struck the sphere that Reniko was holding in her hand.Their screams were drowned out by the noise of the thunder. This is the end,Reniko thought and realized that she was, in fact, still breathing, andthat there was now sunlight washing over her face. She looked at the orb in herhand. It had gone silent.

“Didthat sphere just absorb the energy of the lightning bolt?” Rimca askedincredulously.

Renikolooked at the orb in her hands. It was still cool to the touch, even after thejolt it had endured.

“Ithink it did,” Reniko said, “but I don’t know if it’ll still work.”

“Thatthing just saved our lives,” Malik whispered.

“Inmore ways than one,” Reniko replied.

“Wemust be lower down than you thought Orric. I feel fine,” Malik said as heshivered with cold.

Orriclaughed, “I didn’t misjudge, Malik, I think Reniko had something to do withyour current condition.”

Maliklooked at Reniko and watched her breath come out in smoky puffs. “I guess it’stime to tell you what that hologram did to us back in Reflaydun,” she saidstuffing the now dead sphere back into her pouch.

Orricfound a place to land early the next day. They spent the whole morning tryingto replace out how far off course the storm had blown them. It was a considerabledistance, and since the wind was blowing in a north-easterly direction, theywere in even more danger of drifting off course. Things were not boding wellfor their small caravan.

“Thiswill add two more days onto our travel time at the least,” Malik saidconcurring with Orric.

“Dowe have enough supplies for that?” Rimca asked.

Renikowas pacing. “We’re going to have trouble with fresh water.”

“Iwas afraid you’d say that,” Rimca said.

“Arethere any islands on the way that have fresh water?” Reniko asked.

“Justone that Orric and I know of, but it’s not exactly on the way,” Malik said.

“Showme,” Reniko said. The three of them pored over the map arguing about what to donext until Orric interrupted.

“Sinceit is I who am doing the flying, let me decide,” he said. The three of themagreed and Orric made his announcement.

“We’llstop for water, since I can’t fly that long without water myself. We’ll justhave to endure the longer route.” With the decision made, they took to the air,leaving the small sandy patch of land behind.

Therest of the voyage took eight days. They passed it by without any more incidents,the weather being mildly cooperative. Most of the day was spent with the fourof them joining in some sort of game or song. Reniko had fun trying to teachthem songs in English that were popular back on Earth. Rimca learned themquickly and her melodious voice made them sound unbelievably beautiful. No onein the group tired of hearing Rimca sing. It was the first time in theirtravels together that all four of them had been together without some sort ofstrife following them. They enjoyed each other’s company immensely, forming abond that seemed for the moment unbreakable. Malik was happy to see Rimca andReniko sharing a friendship. He had worried about them being together sincethey had met in Mistfall where Rimca has showed such a loathing for Reniko. Herbitter feelings seemed to have vanished and instead she had formed a bond thateven Malik didn’t understand. Rimca seemed to readily confide in Reniko andReniko did the same. The tear had been bridged and that made everything seem somuch brighter.

Itwas on the last day of the journey over the sea, as they saw land form on thehorizon, that Rimca’s friendship with Reniko changed once again. They weresitting together, their backs facing Malik and Orric, talking in hushed tones.Malik watched as Rimca spoke and Reniko became tense and relaxed giving Rimca ahug and whispering something in her ear. Rimca smiled, said her own piece, andthey sat in silence until Reniko nodded her consent. When they shuffled back upto sit with Malik at Orric’s behest, Malik noticed a distinct difference in theway that Rimca treated Reniko. It was like they had established a bond likethose of brothers in arms. Warriors respecting one another, but for Rimca itwas more than that, it was a soldier respecting her general.

WhenReniko sat down in front of Malik, he wrapped his arms around her protectivelyand she turned around and kissed him tenderly.

“Whatwas that all about?” he asked her softly.

“Nothingyou need to be concerned about,” Reniko replied teasingly.

“Seriously,are you and Rimca still okay?”

“Betterthan okay.” Which Malik realized, was all that he was going to get from Reniko.

Afterfollowing the coast of Mo’an Delar for half a day, Reniko could see a citylooming in the distance, which could only have been Manaker. Orric landed onthe outskirts using the cover of nearby orchards to conceal his bulk in thedying light. Reniko, Malik, and Rimca made their way into town, arriving justas the sun had set completely. The town was gated and Malik pounded heavily onthe closed door in front of them. A hatch in the door opened revealing a pairof annoyed eyes.

“Noentrance inta’ the city afta’ dark,” the gruff voiced man said.

Maliklooked equally annoyed.

“That’sridiculous. You’re just going to leave a group of travelers out here on theirown with no place to stay? Just let us pass, we seek lodging at the Mer’sLagoon.”

“Beenhere before ‘ave you?” the voice asked.

“Ona few occasions,” Malik replied.

“I‘ave orda’s from the Rük to let none pass through at night,” the man said, thefear evident in his voice. No human dared to defy the Rük, not in an occupiedtown.

Renikostepped forward shoving Malik to one side. “I know you have your orders, butwe’ve traveled such a long way, we have nowhere to sleep.”

“I’mreal sorry miss, but you mad at me is not like to see me dead in the morn’. IfI let ya in, that be a different story.”

“Weunderstand,” Rimca said and placed a hand on Reniko’s shoulder, a signal forthem to leave. “We wouldn’t want to cause any trouble for you.”

Theman gave a heavy sigh and slammed the hatch shut. As the three travelers turnedaway from the gate, they heard the scrapping of metal on stone and turned tosee the door opened slightly, the gruff man’s head poking through the smallslit.

“It’dbe unneighbourly of me to turn away a Le’a’to, now wouldn’t it. Come in ‘foresomeone raises the alarm,” he said wildly gesturing for the three of them toenter. They passed through the gates, and as soon as Rimca was safely insidethe wall, the door was shut and barred.

“‘Urryto the Inn before someone catches you out past curfew,” he said and turned toRimca and gave a shy bow. “Me father had a life debt to the Le’a’to, he nevergot to repay it ‘fore he passed on, so in turn his life debt is mine.”

“I’msure your father would have been proud, sir. We owe you our gratitude,” Rimcasaid bowing her head.

“Thename’s Garver. Anything I can do for you, Miss, I will do gladly.”

“Imay hold you up to that Garver, until then, stay out of the Rük’s way, and keepyourself safe.”

“Ibe good at that, milady,” Garver said bowing to Rimca as the small groupslipped into the still streets of Manaker.

TheMer’s Lagoon was a rundown shack near the ocean. With the streets deserted, andMalik in the lead, the three travelers made their way without incident to theentrance and secured a room. After sharing a meal in the tavern, they headedoff to bed happy to finally have a worry free night.

Thenext morning, Reniko and Rimca went shopping for provisions while Malik went tothe local resistance faction for information. They had decided before they hadparted ways that they would meet again where Orric waited. Reniko and Rimcaheaded back to Orric’s position late that afternoon, heavily laden with thevarious things they had purchased in town. When they arrived, they were bothrelieved to see Malik there in conversation with Orric.

“Wellthat was an uneventful day in town,” Reniko said as she stepped into theclearing and laid down her burden. “Quite a difference from the norm, wouldn’tyou say?”

Maliksmiled. “Your normal, Lyss, not mine.”

“Findout anything useful while you were there?” Rimca asked.

“Alot has happened in the three years since I have been to Mo’an Delar. We’vegained more supporters, but I fear not enough. The Rük have been rooting outthe resistance in a lot of the towns, mostly to the south. The people herehaven’t heard anything from the resistance in Tresc’helo, Tembal, Tradorner, orEvla, and from what they’ve heard, Lrac is occupied again.” Malik looked downcast.“Worst of all, the Rük have cut off access to Tordaskar. Surroundingencampments have the plains around Ocean’s Wall swarming with Rük. I think theymay be planning an attack, though how, no one seems to know.”

“Areyou worried about Callum? If Lrac has been taken, surely your brother is introuble,” Rimca said.

Maliklooked at her with a pained expression. “I do fear something terrible hashappened, but there is nothing I can do until we’ve reached Tordaskar.”

“Yourbrother? What is this about?” Reniko asked.

“Mybrother Callum led a revolt against the Rük in Lrac ten years ago. He and theRük signed a treaty of sorts that ensured that Lrac would be an unoccupied cityas long as the residents obey the rules outlined in the treaty. If the Rük havetaken the city again, I fear they may have killed Callum.”

“Maybewe should go there and replace out. Your brother's life is much more importantthan reaching the archives in Tordaskar.”

“That’svery kind of you, Reniko, however, I think that we need to reach Tordaskarsoon, and warn them of the Rük’s coming attack. They wouldn’t be camped outsideOcean’s Wall if they didn’t have some sort of plan. And if Tordaskar does fallinto the hands of the Rük, I fear that the resistance will fall apart.”

“I’msure Callum is all right,” Rimca said wrapping her arm around Malik’s shouldersand giving him a reassuring squeeze.

“Hecan take care of himself, I’m sure of that.” Malik said brushing aside hisworry. “We should leave for Corbasin City in the morning. I’m sure the Le’a’towill have more insight into this than the resistance here.”

“Ofthat I’m sure,” Rimca said. “Looks like I’m finally coming to the end of myjourney.” The words were spoken with pain and all Reniko could do was lay areassuring hand over Rimca’s.

Thenext morning, as the sun crested signalling the beginning to a new day, thefour of them took to the sky, refreshed, renewed and ready for another lengthyflight.

Manakerwas constructed on a peninsula which isolated it from the rest of thecontinent. Its closest neighbour was Corbasin City, which lay southeast ofManaker across Mestal Bay. Impassable mountains surrounded the capital city ofthe Le’a’to homeland; or so the Rük thought. Few people knew of the hiddenpasses that riddled the mountains allowing the Le’a’to free passage to Mo’anDelar from their own isolated home. However, on a Teoko, as Malik, Reniko, andRimca now traveled, access to Corbasin City was as easy as flying a path to it,which Orric had done on many occasions. Once again Rimca was glad that the Rükcould not fly, for if they could, not only would her home have been destroyed,but also Malik’s, and she could not imagine a world where there was noopposition to the Rük, for that was a world without hope, and without hope, noone could survive. Wishing away her sorrowful thoughts, Rimca resigned herselfto her fate and instead dwelt on the time she had to spend with her friends,old and new.

Orricreached the mountain range just after dark. Stopping on a low shelf, he settledin for the night while Reniko, Malik, and Rimca cooked over a small fire andtalked. Rimca was solemn as was Reniko, and Malik was confused with the suddenmood change. He didn’t understand how the two of them could be so morose, evenwith the unsettling news he had brought back from Manaker.

“Whyso sullen?” Malik asked.

“Rimca’sjust not ready to say goodbye,” Reniko said.

“Good-bye?You’re not coming to Tordaskar with us?” Malik asked.

“Ican’t. It’s time I faced up to my duty. When we get to Corbasin, I’m afraid we’llhave to say goodbye. You’ll forgive me won’t you?” Rimca asked.

“Forgiveyou? Forgive you for what? You’ve done more than enough for us Rimca. We are inyour debt, now and forever. That is nothing that needs to be forgiven.”

“Youdon’t know how much that means to me, Malik,” Rimca said wiping away tears. “Iwish I could go with you and Reniko, but my people – ” she let her sentencetrail off.

“Area lot like mine,” Malik said. No resentment was hidden in his voice, onlyunderstanding. Rimca looked up from the fire she had been staring at and smiledat Malik.

“Howcome you always know just what to say to make me feel better?” Rimca asked.

“It’sa gift, shared between friends,” Malik said returning Rimca’s smile.

“I’mglad we had the chance to meet, Malik, Reniko. You both have made the things Imust do so much easier. I have no regrets.”

“Youhave much more strength and courage than I have Rimca,” Reniko said. “Let’ssave our goodbyes though and instead share one more night together ascompanions.”

“Isecond that motion,” Malik said, “Sing us a song Rimca. We never tire of yourlovely voice.”

“Allright, a song both our worlds share in common,” Rimca said staring at Renikowarmly as she broke into song, the lullaby that had bridged the gap in theirsmall group.